need me a new pack

[high country]

See if you can find a used k2 or Dana designs "bed" series pack. Arguably the standard all are judged against. Look at propper on eBay and a used mystery ranch all are gooood quality and made to last, it will be a matter of fit. The best fitting pink pack tramps a poor fitting camo one.

I like my mystery pack the most so far.

[PacificNWhunter]

See if you can find a used k2 or Dana designs "bed" series pack. Arguably the standard all are judged against. Look at propper on eBay and a used mystery ranch all are gooood quality and made to last, it will be a matter of fit. The best fitting pink pack tramps a poor fitting camo one.

I like my mystery pack the most so far.

Just like high country said, try and get a Dana Designs or Mystery Ranch. I too have had problems getting a pack to fit and instead of buying several lesser packs after finally trying a Myster Ranch for a few hikes wish I would have just swallowed the pill and paid the extra for the pack right off the bat. 

That being said, I wore a badlands for a long time and it was a great pack, I was able to send it back and have them take off some of the lenghth of the waist belt so I had more adjustability. Good luck.

[Bshiftbc]

Have the Badlands 4500. I little heavy but quality all the way!

[dfresh96]

costco has a timber ridge pack for $35 with 2800 c.in., hydration compatable.

[marmotsafari]

Don't be shy of going into REI to try some more "backpacking" packs out..

I went through a couple options last year, currently settled on a Gregory Palisades. Expands prettty big, comfy suspension, top lid removes for day hunt if you like. Kinda a dark red color, which I like, less apt to get shot up moving at dusk. If you are color conscious a pack cover keeps the kit dry.. I have an old northface cover that is black, I plan to safety pin on some tape or spare vest if I am worried about other hunters.

Nice thing about REI, they fit people to packs all the time, you can try on a bunch, and return anything after a field test if it doesn't work out. Worked out cheaper for me than most of the hunt pack options too.

Mine is sitting loaded on the floor by the door.. @45#'s + rifle... here we go!!!!

Good luck!

[TheHunt]

I like to go into REI but they support anti hunting groups that I dispise.  But as far as going in and trying on packs, renting them, it is a good idea.  I have never had any REI employee say anything negative to me about hunting.  Now a few other folks that were in the store made a few comments but backed down really quick when I dropped everything a walk over to confront them.  My wife did not like the way I handled it but such is life and I took her to dinner then she laughed it off. 

I like and own the eberstock "the one" pack.  It is a great pack for bivey hunting.

[HUNT-HARD]

Take a look at the Horn Hunter Full Curl pack system. Nice light weight aluminum internal frame. Has two options for pack size and also can just be used as a pack frame. I have one on order right now and cant wait for it to show up. I picked up just the small pack and the meat bag. $24.99 for the meat bag and $219.00 for the pack and frame.

[aer212]

According to my cousin, these are the best packs on the market. Spendy but you get what you pay for. http://www.kifaru.net/HUNTHOME.HTM

[Lowedog]

I bought a used Osprey Aether off of ebay and couldn't be happier.  Very light and comfortable and made to carry a load.

[Wtrfowlr62]

Badlands.... No doubt.

period.


i have a 2800. very versatile, quality fantastic, prolly wont ever buy another pack unless it says badlands on it.

[high country]

Don't be sold on trends and fluff. Fit, suspension and design trump color, signatures of tv hosts and magazine ads. Badlands makes a good pack, if the fit is good. For the weight, I would take a custom pack every time......and I own both.

[marmotsafari]

Sorry to kick up an aging post, but just noticed TheHunt's response-

I wasn't aware of REI being supportive of anti hunting groups- no doubt many of their employees are but that is a different thing entirely. On thier website they mention the sierra club, which I know a lot of sportsmen have reservations about. Those guys have gone through the trouble of at least trying to be inclusive of sportsmen if nothing but for the vote- check out http://www.sierraclub.org/sierrasportsmen/people/leaders/ - may be a snow job but a far cry from PETA  at least they are willing to shoulder up to hunters if it gives them a bigger voting block.

[swanny]

REI is a great place to try packs out. I would highly recommend going in to the Seattle store though if you are out to try them on. The knowledge in that store tends to be better and the selection is much greater, plus they have stairs and you can walk up and down on to get a real feel for how the pack is with a load on. We don't sell anything camo unfortunately and don't sell any snake gaiters but we do sell great gear.

I'm a little curious though what REI supports also that is anti-hunting? Just so you are aware, employees are a big part in dictating where money goes to support various programs or groups. REI is also huge in every community they are in, every new store opened does a large scale service project before the store opens. At the DC in Sumner, we recently started a salmon restoration effort of a creek that runs along our building and flows into the White River.

[bobcat]

The Sierra Club is a pretty good organization IMO. They've done a lot of good for wildlife habitat and they are NOT an anti-hunting group. I'm not sure why so many hunters have a problem with them. I'd guess that it's mostly because most hunters don't have a clue as to what the Sierra Club really is.

[uncoolperson]

thanks shoot, things came up and the cash from selling a pack went to all kinds of other things.

gonna try for spring and hope to make the high hunt next year.